Gifts for holidays, birthdays, weddings, graduations, retirements, special occasions and long weekends.
This year marks a significant milestone for the Te Mata Special Character Zone as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Nestled in the heart of Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, this area stands as the country’s first legally protected zone for vineyards, winery, and viticulture, an achievement that sets a precedent in New Zealand’s wine industry.
Spring has truly arrived in the Te Mata Estate character zone, and the vineyards are bursting with life. Between the vines, a carpet of mustard seed, tick bean, and phacelia is in full flower, bringing vibrant colour to the rows.
Glass bottles are an essential part of wine, but their weight and production have real environmental and practical impacts. At Te Mata Estate, decisions about glass are shaped by more than a century of exporting wine from Hawke’s Bay to the world. By using recycled glass and lighter bottles, the estate reduces shipping weight and carbon impact while keeping the focus where it belongs, on the quality and character of the wine inside the bottle.
At Te Mata Estate we do use organic and biodynamic techniques, alongside traditional winemaking. We’re also known for regenerative and precision viticulture. For us it’s a ‘toolkit’ approach we use – one where we have to see the results in the glass, This time of year our preparations are made up. In this picture viticulturist Brenton O’Riley shows new vineyard staff our process.
2023 will be a lesson in “never count your chickens before they’re hatched.” It was a season that took Te Mata to new frontiers, and one we can’t wait to share with you. An extreme year setting new records on multiple fronts, 2023 was the: longest growing season ever (budburst to harvest +10% longer than LTA) and the lowest yielding (-30% on LTA).
Next year is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand (SWNZ) programme. We are proud to see its success. Te Mata as one of the five wineries to spearheaded by five wineries this in the late 20th century and the first to have vineyards and winery accredited under the system. “The industry leaders were passionate and innovative. They could see the opportunities for an export-focused wine industry. They knew the importance of sustainability to ensure New Zealand wine would be internationally renowned for its premium reputation.”
This week, in partnership with the Te Mata Park trust, the Te Mata Estate team and their families volunteered their time to plant over 400 native plants and trees along the Chambers Walk at the Te Mata Park. As well as being our namesake, our deep connection to Te Mata Peak traces back to the Chambers family, who founded Te Mata Estate in 1896.
We’re thrilled to announce that our very own Joe Stenberg has been crowned the 2024 Hawke’s Bay Young Viticulturist of the Year!
The arrival of new Cabernet Sauvignon clones at Te Mata Estate marks an important moment in the long arc of the winery’s red wine programme. These young vines, now ready for planting, represent years of research, international collaboration, and careful intention, all directed toward the future quality and expression of Te Mata’s Cabernet-based blends.
The recent arrival of a new power harrow with a seeder fitting, designed to run behind a small tractor, marks a quietly significant moment in the vineyards at Te Mata Estate. Compact, precise, and highly efficient, it is exactly the kind of technology that suits a place defined by varied blocks, contours, and long-term stewardship rather than scale for its own sake.
Discover an experience designed for every wine lover, from first-time visitors to serious collectors – and our new Summer Courtyard experience.
